Yankees fan to open new diner mere blocks from Fenway Park

The rumors are, evidently, true: MICHAEL SCHLOW -- an avowed Yankees fan and the celeb chef behind RADIUS, VIA MATTA, TICO, and Wellesley's ALTA STRADA -- will open a diner called HAPPY'S BAR AND KITCHEN in the old Burton's Grill space, on Boylston Street in the Fenway. The spot, within pissing distance of Yawkey Way (and even closer to the Phoenix offices), is scheduled to open in time for opening day, according to Grub Street, which quotes a Schlow rep describing the concept as "comfort food" and "cutting-edge American fare."

Not that we're rooting against him: after several diner-less years in these parts, we're suddenly getting spoiled: Thornton's Grille is back on Peterborough Street, and now Schlow's classing up the other side of Boylston Street with his presence.

Will Schlow convert to the hometown nine now that he's moving into the neighborhood? Doubtful. As he once told our sister magazine STUFF: "Whatever team you root for, that should be your team. I don't believe
that moving to a new city makes you a fan of that team. Or it shouldn't.
My allegiances are to baseball. I've cheered for the Yankees my whole
life. But when the Yankees are out of it, you'll see me - and you have -
cheering for the Red Sox."